CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer coach Craig Blazer announced the signing of three players to a National Letter of Intent. Kurt Albrecht, Julian Chille and John Kornfeld will join the men's soccer program next fall. The trio consists of two student-athletes from the Chicagoland area and another from St. Louis.

"I am very pleased to welcome our three new recruits and their families to the DePaul soccer program. All three of these student-athletes have been very successful and it is the mission of the entire DePaul Athletic Department to maximize all of their skills and talents," said Blazer. "The entire DePaul Soccer Program of players, parents, staff, administration, and alumni have made some outstanding athletic and academic strides and these players will further enhance our development. I am already looking forward to August when we will have the chance to begin training."

Kurt Albrecht, a defender, played at Buffalo Grove High School and led the Bison to a regional title last season while earning All-State recognition. On the club level, he plays for Arsenal and is also a member of the Illinois Olympic Development Program (ODP) state team. Albrecht also holds a spot on the ODP regional team.

"Kurt is a very polished defender," said Blazer. "He has excellent speed, good technical ability, anticipates the game very well and knows how to tackle. He is a very committed soccer player who has consistently improved with every challenge in his career. He will provide us with a tremendous amount of defensive versatility and leadership."

Julian Chille is the second Chicagoland student-athlete joining the Blue Demons next season. He is currently a member of the Illinois state ODP team. Chille, a midfielder/forward, also plays on the club level for the Chicago Sockers.

"Julian is extremely competitive and has a tremendous amount of ability and work ethic," said Blazer. "He has an above average shot and is very attack-minded and versatile. He will provide us an offensive threat either at midfield or as a forward."

A St. Louis native, John Kornfeld joins the program as a midfielder. A high school teammate of current Blue Demon Patrick Ferrell, Kornfeld plays at Saint Louis University High School which is the No. 1 team in Missouri. With Saint Louis University High School he earned first team All-State honors after wining the state title. Kornfeld plays club soccer for the Busch Soccer Club, one of the nation's top club programs.

"John is a very intelligent, competitive player who understands how to read the game," said Blazer. "He makes very good decisions and will provide a good link from our defenders to our forwards. He won a high school state championship this year at Saint Louis University HS and plays with the Busch Soccer Club."